Related Stories

But the decision by Stone Road Mall to eliminate the plaster and fibreglass scene from its festive decor sparked a series of petitions, letter writing campaigns and threats of a boycott in Guelph’s Christian community. It appears that a cardinal is about to add his voice to the outcry.

Catherine Collins, the sister of Cardinal Thomas Collins, said he is preparing a letter to the mall asking it to reconsider its decision, while advocating for the preservation of Christian themes in holiday celebrations and festive decor.

Hundreds of people from several local churches — those who want to see the remembrance of Jesus Christ figure prominently in Christmas — are demanding the mall backtrack and put the symbol of Christ’s birth back on display. For now, there are no plans to display it elsewhere. Mall management said this week the decision would not be reversed.

Ann Lindsay, a parishioner at Saint John the Baptist Parish on Victoria Road, said the nativity scene is in storage at the church. The Christmas adornment was purchased through a partnership among the Guelph Civic Committee of the Catholic Women’s League, the Knights of Columbus and a United Church group, then donated to the mall 10 years ago.

“The mall stated that they do not have room to have the statues continue to stay in the mall,” said Lindsay, who is part of the committee. “We are more than happy to store them, if storage is the issue with the mall. But we want them back in the mall.”

Lindsay said each of Guelph’s five Roman Catholic parishes is mounting different campaigns to lobby for the nativity’s return to the mall. She said announcements about the nativity’s removal have been made from pulpits and Wellington Catholic District School Board trustees voted Tuesday night to take action on the issue. The Knights of Columbus is also looking into ways to contribute to the campaign.

“I’m hoping the mall will change their mind, but the nativity scene doesn’t bring money for them — it’s as simple as that,” Lindsay added. “It’s all about the bottom-line and it’s sad.”

Catherine Collins, chair of the Guelph Civic Committee, said the nativity scene was originally purchased and donated to the mall so that “an outward manifestation of the religious dimension to the Christmas season” could be displayed for all shoppers to see.

Cardinal Collins, she added, has been in Rome for the past week, returning this week to Canada. He has indicated that he plans to send a letter to the mall.

“I know it was his intent to send a letter to them because he is in the type of occupation where he is very interested in making sure that Christ remains in Christmas,” Catherine Collins said.